Sunday, December 30, 2012

Today while wondering aimlessly throughTarget, I piddled right past this display of heavenly design! If you are not already a fan of Nate Berkus, you will be now! I am crushing on these sculpted branch gold lamp bases for $49.99 and oatmeal shades for $24.99 each! Gold vases are $22.00. The best part is that the whole line appears to be around $50.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Sweet Home Charlotte. A blog I write in an attempt to only share the sweetest of story's, the happiest of days, my favorite things. The past few months have presented quite a few personal challenges and that has resulted in fewer and fewer blogs. This is not because I have nothing to say or to share with my readers, it is because what I have to say is not necessarily so sweet at all.

This fall my husband lost his father after a long fight with death. A business was sold and a new career was started. The future seemed brighter. Then Super Storm Sandy tore apart our family's home on the coast of Southern Connecticut. It did the same to countless others. There was mass shooting at a mall in Portland, Oregon. Most recently, a sleepy New England town close to my childhood home was the victim of unthinkable acts and children and public servants were murdered at the hands of a mentally unstable young man.

In this season of "merry" my heart hangs so heavy that at time's it feels as though it might break from the very threads that hold it steady. I can not comprehend what is truly wrong with the world, a world that until recently seemed flawed but mostly reasonable. A world that at times seemed even magical.

Every single night that I have been a mother, I have laid down with my babies, and I have prayed to God that he keep them safe from harm. I tell him that I would sacrifice my life for theirs. I know that without them in my world, I would be broken, unable of writing anything "sweet" at all. Scotty would never recover from their loss, this fact keeps me on my toes every day. I imagine that the parents of Sandy Hook Elementary said the same prayers as I do every night. I imagine that they are broken that last Thursday night, their prayers were not answered.

How many times (just this week) I have reprimanded my children for their over abundance of Christmas cheer. The "silly's and the crazy's" that drive me crazy. All the times I have said "NO" to their list of ever growing wants. . . knowing that a small storage unit is filled with gifts hidden just for their special day. I weep for those family's that will be left with unopened toys, who have been robbed of their most beloved children and the memory's that would have been formed from a lifetime together. The teacher's and educators whose lives were sacrificed for the very children they spent countless hours with every day.

Someday soon I will be back with more fun ramblings on pretty interiors, presents and fun. For now though, I am lighting a candle in remembrance of all of those affected by this tragedy in Newtown, Ct. For now I will spend every minute that I can honoring those children and family's. I will love on my baby's tonight, knowing that at least for today, my prayers have been answered.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Not sure what to give the cutest baby boy (or girl) that you know? Let me give you a hipster's little tip, Hank & JoJo Retro Tube Socks Rock! These vintage inspired tube socks are more than just adorable, they actually keep baby's toe's warm and snug! The knee high length keeps the legs covered when those pesky knickers get all jammed up!

*Check out Baby Cooper headed to Ed's Tavern on a Charlotte snow day. His Hank & JoJo socks are keeping his baby legs snug and dry!

Available in sizes 3months-18months, these little overachievers are made of bamboo with AZO free dyes. They arrive packaged in the coolest tin, that even to this day houses Batman and Robin for my almost 4 year old son Cooper. Baby colors in Strawberry, Blueberry, Banana & Pear. Retails for $30 at Hank & JoJo.

I first fell for Hank & JoJo when Cooper was just a newbie, but we still roll around town in these cutie pie socks. Since there inception, Hank & JoJo have now introduced the Retro Toddler Tube Socks (age's 2-4) in unisex colors Canyon, Deep Sea, Grassland and Dessert Sun. Retailing online for $32 they would steal the show hip toddlers, boy or girl! Packaged in a larger 5 x 7 tin and in food grade ink! Check them out at Hank & JoJo.

Next up for Cooper this year are the Retro Kiddie Tube Socks for ages 5 to 7! Funky colors for hipster kiddies include Neon Yellow, Blazin' Red, Lime Green & Electric Blue. These are the same great socks minus the patched heels! Go to Hank & JoJo to stock up for all the little one's in your life!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Ask me how I like my coffee and I will tell you strong and black. At Starbucks (when I must) I say "Small Coffee." Nothing skinny, complicated or spoken in Italian. It's really nothing against Starbucks, but they are from Seattle, Washington, not exactly an overly popular international coffee destination. I am an American and I expect to order in sizes Small, Medium and Large. I prefer to put the cream in myself, leave me room or I will make it. Either way.

One of the first times my Grandmother, Margie Marchard Bowley, met her (wealthy) Mother In Law's sister Aunt Elsie Dupont, she asked Margie how she liked her coffee. My Grandmother's answer was sweet, simple and polite, "with cream and sugar please." Aunt Elsie's response, not quite as nice as she answered "How inconvenient of you." Entirely abrasive, and yet most definitely, to the point.

It is for this exact reason that I am thankful for the simplicity of Dilworth Coffee. This little Charlotte coffee shop is tucked into the back of Kennilworth Commons. Inevitably one can order whatever complicated drink one could dream up, but for the rest of us, we can help ourselves to a fine selection of specialty artisan brews; in sizes Small, Medium and Large.

At some point last year, Dilworth Coffee, my favorite rustic, hippy, spot closed down for a week. A sign covered the door that said it was closed for renovations. My heart sunk, I loved the woodsy, comfort setting that felt like home. I overheard someone mutter that they were making it more like Starbucks. I thought I might cry.

Obviously, I have changed immensily over the past ten years. I am not as "hippy" as I used to be, not as free spirited and earthy. While I used to brag that I could fit all of my belongings in the back of my Honda. I am pretty sure that we would fill up at least one large moving truck with all the possesions I have acquired over the last eight years.

As it turns out, Dilworth Coffee has changed with me and I suspect many of it's patrons. And when I finally opened up the doors. . . I loved every inch of it.

The well curated gallery wall highlights an eclectic art collection. A metal, industrial style pendant illuminates a work area for patrons.

Fun food and drink specials greet us as always. Most are by local vendors.

A Circa Lighting Dave Hicks Pendant brings more than a touch of style to the minimalist environment.